RECOMMENDED

Most will recognize Rob Riggle as “that one guy from The Daily Show,” the husky correspondent who showed up around the same time as John Oliver. But Riggle’s been all over the biz, the kind of guy  you start to notice after he’s popped up in humorous sketches over and over again, like on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “Saturday Night Live,” “The Upright Citizen’s Brigade” and most recently in the bro-comedy smash hit “The Hangover.” But the most intriguing entry on Riggle’s resume? The U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. Amidst tours in Liberia, Kosovo and Afghanistan, Riggle managed to squeeze in time to foster a comedy career, becoming one of the few (if any) comedians whose day job is lieutenant colonel. Riggle’s not especially known for his stand-up routine, but his work on “The Daily Show” and other sketch troupes suggests a blend of political humor and a lot of off-the-cuff jabs. Between the military experience and the dirt he surely has on Jon Stewart, he probably has a thing or two to chat about. (Andy Seifert)

July 23 at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, (312)337-4027.

RECOMMENDED

Two is better than one, right? It seems like Randy and Jason Sklar understand this, because they’ve constructed a comedy routine that–like the old Abbott and Costello routines of the thirties–refuses to pause, one that uses their power in numbers to create a breathless, never-ending assault of dialogue. The St. Louis-born comedy duo are not just brothers, they’re also identical twins, a sight that lends itself remarkably well to the stage (it’ll also make you realize just how lucky we are Andrew Dice Clay never had a twin). As opposed to other comedy duos that featuring contrasting personas, the Sklar brothers are virtually the same, both in personality and appearance. Both come across as witty, intelligent and pop-culture savvy, but it’s their performance style that has carved a niche apart from other duos: where one stops, the other begins; when one asks a question, the other answers. Their indistinguishable voices create the sensation that you’re not watching two comedians work together; you’re witnessing some multi-voiced super-human comedian. (Andy Seifert)

July 24-25 at Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway, (773)472-3492. $20.

RECOMMENDED

At first, Atlantic City-based comic Butch Bradley seems like a poor man’s Lewis Black—lots of incredulous outrage, with arms flailing about and pointing angrily at hypothetical subjects. But give him a little more credit than that: many of Bradley’s outbursts are directed at such harmless topics that the punch lines include a hint of irresistible non-sequitur goofiness. “I don’t want to be killed by a first-time killer,” Bradley quips about his apparently inevitable homicide. “I want the guy to be good. They have to start somewhere. I don’t want any amateurs.” Bradley leaves to the imagination why he thinks he’s going to be murdered, and why he prefers a precise professional to kill him. It’s the same deal in a bit about spiders just showing up in his car when the doors are locked (“I don’t even mind if he wants a ride, just ask me,” he says)–Butch rarely explains why he’s ranting on the particular minutia of life he’s targeted. And it’s that lack of coherent logic that makes his routine pretty entertaining. (Andy Seifert)

July 21-26 at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, (312)337-4027.

RECOMMENDED

Yes, the title of comedian Arj Barker’s DVD is “Balls,” presumably so people will have to say “I’d really like to see Arj Barker’s ‘Balls.’” And sure, Barker also stars in a Web series called “Arj and Poopy,” in which a kitten talks to him through farts. But rest assured, Barker may be one of the more underrated stand-ups for social commentary in the biz, the type who will sprinkle in juvenile punchlines to disguise the fact that his comedy is chock full of substance. Take, for instance, Barker’s bit on how people don’t understand when he’s joking around over text messages: “It’s too hard to convey tone in digital communication. And we can solve this problem so easy; all we need are some new fonts,” he says, suggesting the creation of the “Sarcastica” and “Good Times Roman” fonts. For a little sampling of Barker’s best “ballsy” character, check out his portrayal of Dave, the hilariously insolent friend of Jermaine and Bret on HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords.” (Andy Seifert)

July 10-11 at Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway, (773)472-3492. $20.

RECOMMENDED

If it’s the stand-up’s responsibility to uncover the overlooked humor in our ever-frantic daily lives, Owen Benjamin is fulfilling his obligations. The New York State-based stand-up has a knack for lightheartedly illuminating the peculiar situations in his life that reek of absurdity, like the “Peanuts” theme song being played the precise moment a friend starts to have a serious conversation with him, or the crushing letdown that ensues when people find out that, even with his six-foot-six stature, he sucks at basketball. His “Owen Benjamin Presents” series on Crackle.com takes that principle and applies it to several “how to” lessons, including “How to be ‘the man’ at a BBQ” (open beers without a bottle opener), “How to fake talent” (wear a beret) and “How to look rich” (use an umbrella when it’s not raining). Benjamin appears as part of the MySpace Secret Show series, so, um, don’t tell anyone I told you. (Andy Seifert)

July 8 at Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway, (773)472-3492.

RECOMMENDED

You know how the saying goes, “when life gives you cerebral palsy, achieve fame as a comedian by poking fun at your disability.” At least that’s the proverb for Denver’s Josh Blue, the winner of Last Comic Standing Season 4, who has turned his lifelong cerebral palsy into an immensely likable stand-up act, one that lightheartedly narrates life with the disability while refuting any preconceived stereotypes. The Paralympic-soccer-player-turned-comedian uses his unconventional body movement as a starting off point for his quips, then, once the jokes bring the house down, tells his audience that “you’ll all be going to hell for laughing at me.” Blue’s material is more than novelty, his self-deprecation is creative, unique and—dare I say it—heartwarming. “I was walking downtown and the drunk-tank stopped and picked me up,” he says. “I was like, ‘uh-oh.’ I was like, ‘Wait a minute fellas, there’s a misunderstanding, I’m not drunk, I have cerebral palsy.’ They’re like, ‘That’s a pretty big word for a drunk ass.’” (Andy Seifert)

June 11 at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, (312)337-4027, at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. $25.

RECOMMENDED

If there’s one thing L.A.-based stand-up comedienne Melinda Hill has mastered, it’s the art of humorous incongruity. Watch her act on TV with the sound off, and you’ll see an attractive blonde, sweetly speaking and constantly smiling. But her outward appearances are deceiving. Her actual material is anything but sweet and innocent—it’s slyly sarcastic, self-deprecating and downright scathing. “I just had a surprise birthday party,” she says in one of her prototypical jokes. “I have to say, it wasn’t much of a party, it was just everyone I know getting together to tell me I drink too much.” Never one to shriek or go “Andrew Dice Clay” on everyone, Hill maintains a steady deadpan delivery style while occasionally including a couple of clever subtle touches. “I never ever have sex on the first date, unless I am raped,” she quips, with a bounce in her voice, as if she was joking about candy and ice cream. (Andy Seifert)

June 4-6 at Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway, (773)472-3492. $15.

1. TJ Miller

If Chicago has a superstar stand-up right now, it’s Miller. Lincoln Lodge’s Mark Geary calls him “the ascendant comedian in Chicago right now.” He’s also toured with Second City as an improviser, and is currently filming a pilot for ABC in L.A. (Kristy Mangel of the Bastion has a bet that we’ll see him on television by August.) If you can catch him here right now, do it, say his peers, because he’s going to be big. tjmillerdoesnothaveawebsite.com

2. Robert Buscemi

Buscemi has been at it for five years, and within that time, he’s perfected a weird patter about playing strip poker in a one-piece (“to lose”) and being seen by the ladies in a thong on a recumbent bicycle downtown. Don’t ask, just go see him. robertbuscemi.com

3. Jared Logan

Logan is a founding member of Blerds.com (as are many other comics on this list), a funny Web site featuring daily blog and video content. Outside of stand-up, he recently created the monthly variety show “A Demon Who Never Appeared” at the Playground Theater. jaredlogan.com

4. Prescott Tolk

Tolk, also a Blerds member, traveled to Chicago from New York in 2001. He’s appeared on Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend” and could easily pass for a stoner if he wasn’t so insightful. prescotttolk.com

5. Tony Sam

Sam is the founder and producer of Chicago Underground Comedy, and still finds the time to appear in pretty much every room in town (despite having a day job as a biologist). He’s been seen both playing the ukulele and holding a puppet version of himself named Dr. Tony (who has his own blog at askdoctortony.blogspot.com). tonysam.com

6. Hannah Gansen

Gansen co-founded the female comedy collective Spitfire (self-branded as “Chicago Comedy’s Broad Squad”) and often brings a 1989 Yamaha keyboard on stage to accompany her terrifically bizarre songs and insights.  spitfirecomedy.blogspot.com

7. Mike Holmes

Originally from Waterloo, Iowa, Holmes is currently working in Chicago and around the Midwest. He mixes observation and frustrated cynicism in equal parts, and it’s funny every time. myspace.com/mikeholmescomedy

8. Nick Vatterott

Vatterott has been off on tour with Second City lately, but if you get a chance to see him at Chicago Underground, you should take it. myspace.com/nickvatterott

9. Josh Cheney

Cheney hosts open mics, appears in showcases and tells jokes all over town. He’s equal parts absurd and traditional, and you can tell he’s been doing this for a long time. Catch him quick before he moves to L.A. later this year. myspace.com/joshcheeeneee

10.   Pat Brice

Also one of the Blerds, Pat Brice has taken stages all over town, including the staple Zanies. He also hosts a daily sports-comedy podcast called “Visitor’s Locker Room” with fellow local comic CJ Sullivan.  visitorslockerroom.com

And Five Places to Go See Them…

1. Chicago Underground Comedy was started by Tony Sam in 2005, and currently rocks the back room of the Beat Kitchen every Tuesday night. It’s quickly becoming a mainstay of alternative comedy in Chicago. chicagoundergroundcomedy.com

2. The Lincoln Lodge has been running for seven years now in the Lincoln Restaurant at Lincoln and Irving Park. Mark Geary originally started it because he wanted to bring professionalism to stand-up in Chicago, and you can find just that every Thursday and Friday night from September to May. thelincolnlodge.com

3. Open Mics. There are a lot—a lot—of open mics around town, but if you want to find good comedy, as Josh Cheney says, “you really have to look for it.” Two recommended by Chicago comics are the Sunday night room at Bad Dog Tavern (4535 North Lincoln) and Thursday night at Pressure Cafe and Billiards (6318 North Clark).

4. The People Under the Stares is a monthly showcase at the Hideout run by local indie record label Drag City. They’ve not only been able to bring national alternative comics back into Chicago (Zach Galifianakis was a recent appearance), but they’ve been able to connect them to local comics like TJ Miller and David Angelo to bring Chicago stand-up nationwide.  myspace.com/peopleunderthestares

5. Thunder Comedy just started as a showcase in January of this year, but they’ve been turning heads among comics in town already. The show is hosted by Joe Kilgallon at Brisku’s Bistro (4100 North Kedzie) every Thursday evening. thundercomedyshow.com   

(Mike Schramm)

Is Todd Barry merely a comedian? Nay! Todd Barry is an incoming juggernaut, a megastar on the rise, a future inductee to People Magazine’s 50 most beautiful stars. If George Clooney balks at “Ocean’s 14,” who do you think they’ll be calling to replace him? That’s right, Todd Barry, who, by the way, is poised to put the bongos back on the musical map. Yes, Todd Barry is a big deal. He says it himself on the opening track of his newest album, “From Heaven,” after he thanks the opening comics: “It must be exciting for those young comics to work with me, it’s kind of exciting, not be an asshole or anything, but I’m semi-famous.”

Of course, he’s joking, but it’s worth noting that Todd Barry’s built the foundation of his career on a very sly, crafty bit of self-deprecation. Bald, 45 years old, and a king of tongue-in-cheek cockiness, Barry says near the end of “From Heaven” that “time flies when you’re seeing the best show you’ve ever seen in your life.” It’s a really perfectly delivered line, and there’s some truth to it: the fifty-minute “From Heaven” breezes by all too quickly, and while Barry may not be biggest draw in the comedy world, he’s certainly not low-profile anymore.

“I have a nice level of recognizability,” Barry says via email. “I get approached several times a week, but people are usually nice, and I can still ride the bus and shop at Kmart without causing a mob scene.”

His celebrity status may get a nice bump from recent stints, having played Mickey Rourke’s jackass boss in Darren Aronofsky’s “The Wrestler” and having briefly filled the role of “third Conchord,” a.k.a Todd the unwelcome bongo player, on HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords.”

“We had a brief discussion about getting me one bongo lesson, but that never panned out,” Barry says of his popular “Conchords” part. “It probably made it funnier that I didn’t completely know what I was doing.”

While Barry appeared to hint that he may have a TV engagement on the way (“way too early to talk about it”), it appears he’ll delay certain stardom for the time being to concentrate on stand-up shows and, in much more serious matters, a “colossal update to his Web site.” (Andy Seifert)

May 15-16 at Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway, (773)472-3492, 7:30pm and 10pm. $20.

RECOMMENDED

She may not claim to have coined the phrase “you fat fuck,” but New York stand-up/actress Susie Essman certainly popularized it. As the bat-shit-insane wife of Jeff Garlin’s character on HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” Essman has pulled out nearly every scathing combination of profanities in the English language in order to deride the completely whipped Garlin and his partner-in-crime, Larry David. For a show that builds its comedic foundation on unscripted arguments, Essman has proven to be a bulldog that’s escaped from its leash, willing to tear apart Garlin and David for the audience’s continued amusement. Aside from “Curb,” Essman’s been touring the stand-up circuit for a couple of decades, and while a lot of her routine is still very much insult-driven, much of the act fixates on her Jewish heritage, replete with many rousing impressions of her family that remind heavily of the old Mike Myers’ “Coffee Talk with Linda Richman” SNL skit. (Andy Seifert)

May 17 at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, (312)337-4027, at 6:30pm and 8:30pm. $30.